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I made a previous post about booking a first-time cruise and really appreciate the advice. I have talked to a couple of travel agents and received two very different opinions about the timing of our vacation. The first said that I shouldn't be overly concerned about going in August because the cruise lines are prepared for hurricanes and simply change the ports to avoid the storms. The second said that it was not a good idea at all to book in August because my trip could be ruined by a hurricane. Who am I to believe?

Hurricanes do not just crop up with out warning.
Cruise lines have plenty of advance notice & change ports...that said it may be the difference of Carribbean ports or heading North to New England & Canada, which cruise lines have done if the Carribbean is having a hurricane..if you don't mind that you'll be fine.

August and Sept are the busy times of the hurricane season in the caribbean. Like the other poster said, when a hurricane is near cruiselines will reroute the ship and so you may not get to go to the ports scheduled, but you may go to some other great ports or some bad ports. So it all depends on how set you are on visiting the ports schedules on your cruise. I have to say though cruising the caribbean in the summer is really hot, hope you like the heat and humidity, its also the rainy season so bring one of those small umbrellas or pack some ponchos just in case.

Have to disagree with the comment about summer heat and humidity. Our summer temperatures vary little from those in winter but it does seem a little hotter and more humid because the cooling Trade Winds die down in the summer. That said, the humidity is MUCH less than that experienced in most of the US mainland.

As for rain, it's rarely that we get prolonged days of rain at any time of the year. Passing showers keep the islands beautifully green and our cisterns full but it's a rare day that the sun doesn't shine.

And, yes, cruise ships are very up to date on weather conditions and by the time a hurricane is coming through the islands it's course is pretty predictable. A hurricane passes any one spot within 24 hours and the ship personnel make adjustments accordingly.

Have a wonderful cruise! I used to do a lot of Caribbean cruising during the summer months and always had a wonderful time. Cheers!

We have been cruising for the last 5 years in the first week of august do to our Sons school schedule.We have been in the western & eastern Caribbean.
If there is a hurricane the ship will simply just go a different route (just like everyone else said).
So..my suggestion is if august is the only time you can go,than book your cruise and have a good time!!! If you book any excursions with independent vendors( not thru the ship) make sure that they give full refund if the ship does not make in to their port. We have always booked independent vendors,first they are cheaper and more customized for you with a lot less people .
BTW, you should really visit Cruise Critic - Cruises, Cruise Reviews, Cruise Dealsto get all the answers about cruising. If you need help with navigating that website,let me know .

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